The focus on better patient care by deploying the right support worker, at the right time to the right patient. Vortex Connect provides a suite of mobile solutions to manage a mobile workforce.

1. Home Health
Workforce Management
Mobile Solutions
Date: September 8, 2011
Contact:
Colleen Wong-Sala
416 203 7787 x 257
Colleen.wong-sala@vortexconect.com

2. 1. How will the application show the schedule to PSWs? What will it look like,
what information will it include, how often is it updated?
The Vortex Connect solution provides real-time access to both weekly and daily views in a smartphone
or tablet (BlackBerry, iPhone, Android, iPad, PlayBook*) and web. As with all solutions provided by
Vortex user experiences translate effectively across iOS, BlackBerry, Android and Web.
Access to schedules via different channels and the information is configurable.
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3. 2. How will we know if the staff member (PSW) is working? Can we tell where
the PSW is?
Vortex Connect employee functionality extends beyond scheduling and task oriented information. Time
and attendance is a root component of the Vortex solution and tracking time via punch, sign in or
flagging the status of a task are cornerstones of the Vortex application. The time and location functions
can be reported within Vortex or real-time pass through to a time and attendance and/or billing system.
This gives the ability to calculate employee zero-to-gross pay and manage accurate billing more
efficiently.
The smartphone device’s inherent capabilities, including GPS functionality is leveraged across all Vortex
modules and typically passed into the host time and attendance application along with a full audit trail.
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4. 3. How will the application look to our PSWs to complete their flow sheet
information and provide progress notes or a risk note.
The Vortex Connect solution includes a core forms element that can be attached to any assignment or
called up from a library for ad hoc creation.
New assignments, either created in Vortex Connect or imported from a care system like Goldcare can
include a template replicating the Flow Sheet or other required forms based on Assignment ,
Type/Patient Type or be created/adjusted on the fly by managers.
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6. 4. How will the application look to our Coordinators (in the office)? How do
they sign-in? How does it link with Goldcare or other similar systems?
Manager login, will leverage the same login as used with Goldcare or similar systems, assuming the care
system can provide authentication information via webservices. The web application is easy to navigate
and use.
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7. 5. How will the Coordinators see where their PSWs are and locate someone
who may be close to an appointment that needs to be filled?
Assuming punch data displayed by Goldcare or a similar system can include location information, GPS
data or simply comments fields we typically provide that data with our real time feed of punch
information to the host system.
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8. 6. How will the Coordinators send messages to the PSWs about open shifts or
changes to shifts? How can PSWs accept a shift?
Mobile Shift Connect module, either stand alone or integrated, provides Coordinators with an easy to
manage tool to send out open shifts to multiple PSWs in a real-time. Assignments are sent in the
preferred communication method for each PSW, either via email, SMS (txt messaging) or IVR
(automated phone). This process replaces the manual efforts to fill shifts, gives employees an equitable
opportunity, keeps priority and seniority in mind and provides a complete audit trail.
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9. 7. Can the Coordinators send out an alert to their staff?
Operation Connect Alert module leverages the same address book and user profiles to permit
Coordinators and corporate users to send out email, SMS (txt message) and IVR (automated phone)
messages to as many staff members or stake holders as required at the same time. This saves a
tremendous amount of time for users, communicates in multiple methods to ensure receipt and
provides real-time reporting on the message status, including if desired acknowledgement results.
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10. 8. Bi –directional data flow
Vortex Connect’s preference is a real-time interface and 2-way communication, insuring the highest
level of security and most up to date data in lieu of a push of data methodology. Leveraging published
and vendor created APIs this is typically possible via WebServices as it is today with many 3rd party
applications.
Vortex Connect’s Harmony Middleware platform provides organizations with an environment to rapidly
deploy, interface and manage multi-platform mobile applications. The Harmony Platform is used for all
Vortex applications.
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11. 9. What is involved in setting up the application? How much manual entry?
The Vortex Connect Professional Services team takes care of all setup with the functional/subject matter
expert support of the Preferred Team. In addition, data integration beyond what might be available
from Goldcare or similar systems would require data feeds via CSV, etc. in lieu of data entry.
Phase 1 – Rapid Core Deployment
Deployment Profile
Phase 2 – Goldcare Integration
• Pilot Group
Deployment Profile
Phase 3 – Full Deployment
Operations Connect: Data Connect
• Core features • Pilot Group Extended (Late Fall)
Operations Connect: Alerts Connect OC:DC, OC:AC & MSC Deployment Profile
• Core features • Integrated employee data, shift/assignment • Enterprise Wide (Winter 2012)
data inbound/outbound with Goldcare OC:DC, OC:AC & MSC
Mobile Shift Connect
• Core Features • Additional Features Required Integrated into
Core
Vortex Connect operates on a Fixed Cost contract with our clients to eliminate the concern of any
hidden costs. Our project methodology usually encompasses a multi-stage interactive approach
including Discovery, Design, Development and Deployment.
Our solutions are deployed as Saas delivery model which limits the risk and costs to our clients.
10.What is the security on the device? What if it is lost?
As mentioned, the real-time integration of the system ensures that security is the priority, a lost device
becomes useless as the user wouldn’t be able to login without a password avoiding a breach.
11. What is the battery life of the device? What geographic areas will we have
problems with connectivity?
The impact on battery life of the Vortex Connect solution on devices is negligible and has passed
independent audits for battery drain, data usage and security basis by both technology partners and
clients.
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12. 12.Based on your experience what challenges will we encounter with
implementation?
All stakeholders with the organization must be on the same page. Dedicated resources must be
available from various departments like, I.T., HR, Operations and Finance to ensure that the projects are
aligned with the business and I.T’s goals.
13. Will Nurse Managers be able to locate their PSWs from their own
device or only from the office?
Vortex Connect values the manager’s need to be in the field along with his/her staff and
as such has a manager focused module, Mobile Manager Connect, which provides the
ability for a manager to review the location of the punch of their PSWs.
14. What other features does your application offer?
Mobile Employee Connect
 Time Off Requests
 Balance/Accrual Review
 Timesheet Review
 Elapsed Time Entry
 Timesheet Submission
Mobile Manager Connect
 Approval Process
 Timesheet Edit
 Reporting
 Time Entry/Punch on Behalf of Employees
Operations Connect
 Ad Hoc Creation, Copying, Archiving of Assignment
 Assignment and Alert Templates
 Real-Time Reporting of Assignments
 Web-Access by PSWs to Forms
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